Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (13 – 19 October 2016)

October 20, 2016

Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

(13 – 19 October 2016)

Jerusalem: Construction Works Ongoing in Abu Ghunaim Mount Settlement Photo by: Mohammed Elayan

Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
A Palestinian woman was shot dead at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus.
6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded. Two of them were seriously wounded.

Israeli forces targeted the border areas in the Gaza Strip. However, no casualties were reported.
An electricity company crew was targeted while maintaining the electricity network, east of Khan Yunis.

Houses shut down on grounds of collective punishment.
A room in a house belonging to a Palestinian prisoner was shut down. Another apartment was shut down also under the pretext it contains a metal workshop in Nablus.

Israeli forces conducted 98 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
83 civilians, including 26 children and 3 women, were arrested. Forty-eight of them, including 23 children and the 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
Contents of a publishing house were confiscated for the third time. In addition, a grocery was raided and some of its contents were damaged while other contents were stolen in Hebron.

Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
An orphans’ school was raided; and the director of the Ministry of Education and 10 students were arrested.

Israeli forces continued settlement activities in the West Bank.
The road leading to Kherbet al-Hadidiya in northern Jordan Valley was levelled and a sand barrier was placed at the entrance to the Kherbe.
50 olive trees were burnt as a settler set fire to lands in Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya.
2 settlers dismissed Palestinian farmers harvesting olives, west of Beit Foreek village, and another farmer was dismissed from his lands in Burin village in Nablus.
Settlers stabbed and attacked a Palestinian man, north of East Jerusalem.

Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea
Israeli frequent attacks on Palestinian fishing boats off al-Sudaniya and al-Waha areas, north of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9^th
Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
2 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints.

SummaryIsraeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (13 – 19 October 2016).

Shooting:

Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman and wounded 6 others, including 3 children. Two of them were directly targeted and seriously wounded.

In the West Bank, on Sunday, 19 October 2016, Israeli forces shot dead Raheeq Shajee’ Mohammed Yusef (19) while being present near Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, under the pretext of a stabbing attack.

In excessive use of deadly force, on 13 October 2016, Israeli forces fired a tear gas canister right to Mostafa Hassan al-Jamal (12) after moving into Beit Soreek village, northwest of Jerusalem. As a result, the boy suffered concussion.

On 15 October 2016, Israeli forces opened fire at the entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded, including 2 children. One of the children named Fares al-Bayedh (15) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the forehead, due to which, his wound was classified as serious.

On 16 October 2016, 2 civilians were wounded; one of whom was arrested, after Israeli special forces moved into Qabatiya village, south of Jenin.

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at an electricity company crew while attempting to maintain the network that is 300 meters away from the border fence. As a result, they stopped their work and fled.

On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed in the east of al-Ahmar area, east of Bait Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at the aforementioned area. As a result, the farmers fled fearing for their lives. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 13 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed in the sea off al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishermen. As a result, the fishermen sailed back to the seaport. The same attack was carried out 4 times during the reporting period in the same area and off al-Sudaniya shore as well. No casualties were reported.

House demolitions on grounds of collective punishment:

On 16 October 2016, Israeli forces sealed a room for prisoner Yunis al-Nadi (19) in his family house in Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They sealed another room on the roof as well.

On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces sealed the second floor of a house belonging to Abdul Ra’ouf Majdalawi in Balata refugee camp, southeast of Nablus, under the pretext there was a metal workshop in it. This claim was negated by the family.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 98 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 83 Palestinian civilians, including 26 children and 3 women. Forty-eight of them, including 23 children and the 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion. On 19 October 2016, Israeli forces moved 50 meters into the southeast of Beit Hanoun village. They levelled lands and then redeployed.

Creating jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

Israeli forces continued their attacks and carried out over 14 incursions into Palestinian villages and neighbourhoods. They carried out also house raids and practiced maltreatment against civilians.

Moreover, Israeli forces raided the Islamic Orphans’ School in the Old City in East Jerusalem and re-arrested the director of the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem along with 10 students under the pretext the students threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who were present at al-Aqsa gates.

Concerning settler attacks, on 13 October 2016, a group of settlers guarded by Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighbourhood in East Jerusalem’s Old city. They attacked Palestinian property, attempted to raid some houses and attacked their inhabitants.

The next day, settlers stabbed and attacked Mohammed al-Razem (26), from Silwan village, while he was walking in a street, north of East Jerusalem.

Settlement activities

On 13 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet al-Hadidiya in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. They levelled the road leading to the Kherbeh and put a sand barrier at the entrance to that Kherbeh.

On 14 October 2016, a settler set fire to lands in Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya. As a result, 50 olive trees belonging to the heirs of Abdul Mahdi Mohammed Ali were burnt before the Civil Defence crew could extinguish fire.

On 15 October 2016, 2 settlers accompanied by Israeli soldiers coming from “Itmar” settlement, dismissed the family of Fawaz Hanani at gun point. The settlers threw away the olives that family had collected.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, while passing through those checkpoints.

Details

Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 13 October 2016

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mohamed Reziq Najajrah (13), Mohamed Qasem Shakarnah (15) and Mo’az Ali Shakarnah (18).

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ibrahim Naief Abu Mefreh (20) and Turki Mohamed Raja Sabaah (21) and then arrested both of them.

At approximately 07:00, Israeli navy forces stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. At approximately 11:30, Israeli navy forces carried out a similar attack.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus and stationed in al-Masaken al-Sha’biya neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ashraqat Taha Qatnani, who was killed at Hawarah checkpoint on 22 November 2015, claiming that she carried out a stabbing attack. Israeli forces also took measurements of the house. At approximately 10:15, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then stationed in the vicinity of Abu Sanienah house, where there were a condolences house for Mosbah Abu Sabeeh. It should be noted that Mosbah Abu Sabeeh was killed by Israeli forces because of carrying out a shooting attack in al-Shaykh Jarah neighborhood on 09 October 2016. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers deployed in the main street and obstructed the civilians’ movement. They also removed banners and flags hanged to the wall of Abu Saneinah house. Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Azoun village, east of Qaqilyia; Masha village, west of Salfit; Taramah village, Wad Abu Risha road, west of Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Beit Ummer, Sa’ir and Hadab al-Fawar villages in Hebron.

Friday,14 October 2016

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then raided and searched a number of houses. At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces arrested Hamdi ‘Aziz Khashan (25), from al-Ta’awon street; and ‘Alaa Ali ‘Arafat (24), from ‘Askar camp, and them withdrew.

At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into old’ Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Yunis Medhat Mohamed al-Nadi (19) and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Tafouh, Bani Na’iem, Beit Khahel and Ethna villages in Hebron.

Saturday, 15 October 2016

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village in Hebron and stationed in al-‘Ain area. They then deployed in the main street and surrounded a shop belonging to Ibrahim Khalil Kamel Ikhlayil (33). They destroyed the main doors and damaged its contents that were estimated at NIS 15000. Moreover, they stole NIS 6,580 and boxes of cigarettes, which were estimated at NIS 7,000. Ibrahim Ikhlayil said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

“At approximately 02:00, while I was sleeping, one of my friends called me and told me that Israeli soldiers were attempting to destroy the main door of my shop. I immediately headed to my shop in the center of the village. I stopped 50 meters away from my shop, and then stepped out of my car and walked towards the Israeli soldiers holding my ID in my hand. After that, two Israeli soldiers approached and searched me. They then took me to my shop, where I found the main door was damaged. I told them I had the shop’s key, so they took the key and opened the door. They destroyed the glass door that is behind the iron door of the shop. Israeli soldiers raided and searched the shop and then withdrew after 40 minutes. After that, I entered my shop and found Israeli soldiers damaged part of the goods and stole money and cigarettes.”

At approximately 03:00, an Israeli infantry unit consisting of 50 Israeli soldiers went down of Jarzeem Mount towards al-Dahiya neighborhood, al-Quds Street and Balata camp, southeast of Nablus. While Israeli soldiers were moving into Balatah camp, they saw Ibrahim Mohamed Abu Sabeiha (50), an UNRWA sanitation worker was doing his work in the camp’s streets. They stopped and searched him and then let him complete his work. Another force of Israeli soldiers headed to ‘Askar camp and arrived at the area between the new and old ‘Askar camps, where they had maps and cameras. Few minutes later, a large explosion occurred and a house was raided. After that, Israeli soldiers gathered at the eastern area near Balata, ‘Askar and al-Hesbah camps and then 7 Israeli patrols arrived and took them to Hawarah camp. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 04:20, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into old ‘Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Yunis Medhat Moahmed al-Nadi (19) after blowing up the house main door. They also told his family to evacuate the house claiming that Yunis works in manufacturing explosives and homemade grenades.

In excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian child from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ statements, at approximately 18:00, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, after commemorating the anniversary of the death of Ahmed Sharakah, who was killed on 11 October 2015 by Israeli forces. When the Palestinian young men arrived at the entrance, they were surprised by dozens of Israeli soldiers, who were present there, and threw stones at them. Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. Another Israeli soldier directly opened fire from a range of 15 meters at Fares Ziyad al-Bayyid (15). As a result, Fares sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to his forehead. The protesters came to help Fares and took him by a private car, after which an ambulance transported him to the Palestine Medical Complex, where his wound was classified as serious due to the severe bleeding. Fares underwent an operation and his is still in the intensive care unit. In the same context, other protesters were wounded in the clashes, including Hisham Zahid Samad’ah (12), who was hit with a tear gas canister to the head; and Ziyad Abed al-Ghani Qatash (19), who sustained shrapnel wounds to the back. Both of the wounded were treated in the Palestine Medical Complex, where their wounds were classified as minor.

At approximately 21:45, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone throwers. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces then withdrew. No arrests were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (12) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, al-Burj, Sureef, al-Dahiryia, Kharsa, Halhoul, Samou’a, Beit Ummer and al-Burj villages in Hebron; and ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilyia.

Sunday, 16 October 2016

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into old’ ‘Askar camp, northeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, after which Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to prisoner Yunis Medhat Moahmed al-Nadi (19), who was arrested the day earlier. Israeli forces handed the family a decision to seal Yunis’ room and another room on the roof. Eight Israeli soldiers, who were in the house, ordered Yunis’ sister, Majd (23), who is a lawyer, to get their belongings out of the room because they did not take into account the verbal warning the day before. It should be noted that the above mentioned house inhabited by 8 members. In the meanwhile, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli patrols that raided the city from the northeastern side. The area witnessed violent clashes. The clashes escalated in the new’ ‘Askar camp as well and continued until the morning. After that, Israeli forces withdrew from the camp and neither casualties or arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Bani Na’iem village, east of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and then stationed in the western area of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses causing fear among civilians. Moreover, they raided and searched houses from which they arrested Fawzi Yousef Abdullah Khadour (32) and his brother Mounir (37); Suhaib Abed al-Hameed Abu Jarour (31); Murad Moahmed Ahmed Abu Sakout (18) and Fayiz Ibrahim Khalil al-Khadour (32).

At approximately 02:15, a special force of Israeli soldiers moved into Qabatia village, south of Jenin, by 3 civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates. It should be noted that Israeli soldiers were wearing civilian clothes. They then raided cafes in the eastern neighborhood and a large group of shops after searching them, destroying their doors and confiscating cameras. After that, a large number of Israeli military vehicles and infantry units moved into the village and closed all the entrances leading to the village. They also fired live bullets and tear-gas canisters at the Palestinian civilians. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded; one of them was arrested, while the other was taken to receive medical treatment. The wounded persons were identified as:

Ahmed Omar Qatawi Hamamdah (22), who was hit with a live bullet to the right leg, and was then taken to Jenin Hospital, where his wounds were classified as moderate; and
Amjad Ahmed Mahmoud Kmail (33), who was hit with a live bullet to the left leg. He attempted to flee but Israeli soldiers saw him and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Salam Street in the center of Hebron. A number of Israeli soldiers raided a printing house belonging to Nidal ‘Imran al-Qawasmah (40) after blowing up its main doors. They also confiscated all its content and no arrests were reported. It should be noted that Israeli forces confiscated the abovementioned printing house’s content two times previously.

At approximately 08:20, Israeli navy forces stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City, opened fire at eleven fishing boats. As a result, fishermen were forced to return to Gaza Seaport for fear of being arrested or wounded.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: the entrance to al-Koum village, the entrance to Beit Olah village, the northern entrance to Yatta village, and the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp.

Monday, 17 October 2016

At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Talfeet village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area, while other Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Labib Jaber Haj Mohamed (28) and arrested him. It should be noted that Labib suffers from a kidney disease.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sureef village, northwest of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in the center of the village. A number of Israeli soldiers deployed between houses causing fear among civilians. Moreover, Israeli soldiers raided and searched 2 houses from which they arrested Abdullah Moahmed Ganiymat (23) and Ahmed Ibrahim Ganiymat (27).

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into ‘Ortah village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area after which Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Haza’ As’ad Lolah (27) and arrested him.

At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a maintenance crew of the Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) while they were carrying out maintenance works in Khoza’a village, 300 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the crew was forced to stop their work and then withdrew.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli navy forces stationed off al-Sudaniya shore, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to return to Gaza Seaport for fear of being arrested or wounded.

Around the same day, Israeli forces moved into olive agricultural fields in Budrus village, west of Ramallah. They arrested 3 civilians identified as Mahmoud Hussain Yousef (29), Nizar Lotfi Khalaf (34) and Abdullah Mohamed Omar (22).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (13) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Araq Bureen village, southeast of Nablus and al-Masaken al-Sha’biya neighborhood, northeast of Nablus; Kharsa, Beit ‘Awaa, Ethna, Dura, Tafouh and al-Dahiriya villages and the western entrance to Hebron, al-Yaqeen entrance, east of Bani Na’iem village, al-Jalajil road and al-Thirwa area in Halhoul village in Hebron; and Shaqbah village, west of Ramallah.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Nabi Yunis area. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses and caused fear among civilians. They also raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Monther Sa’di Karjah (16) and Mohamed Mahmoud al-Sa’dah (35).

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area and stationed in al-Karmel area. They deployed between houses and then raided and searched a house belonging to Diyab ‘Awad Abu Qubitah (59) and arrested his son Eyad (24).

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sabastiya village, northwest of Nablus. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear-gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, dozens of youngsters suffered tear gas inhalation and were then treated on the spot.

In the morning, Israeli forces closed a road between al-Kasarah road and Jouhar Mount in the southern area of Hebron with cement cubes for security reasons. Israeli soldiers also deployed in the area.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: the southern entrance to Halhoul village, the northern entrance to Yatta village, the entrance to al-Majd village; al-Karmah village, Abu Katilah area in Hebron; Bitah village, southeast of Nablus and Qarawit Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit.

Wednesday, 19 October 2016

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Ma’damah village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the area after which Israeli soldiers raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Mohamed ‘Amer Nasar (24) and Ali ‘Esam Ziyadah (25) and confiscated 2 laptops and 2 cell phones belonging to them.

At approximately 02:45, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nour Shams camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Murshid Abed al-Latif Ghanam (33) and ‘Odai Fayiz Ibrahim Sha’ban (38).

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Balatah camp, southeast of Nablus, and stationed in al-Hashasheen neighbourhood, in the center of the camp. They raided and searched a 2-storey house built on an area of 95 square meters. The abovementioned house belongs to Abed al-Raouf Abed al-Qadir Majdalawi. Israeli forces locked 4 of the family members in a living room and before they withdrew from the house, they put a notice on the second floor’s door ordering them to close it claiming they found a metal lathe in it. Moreover, they handed Abed al-Raouf’s wife, Istiqlal Mahmoud Moahmed Majdalawi, a written notification and then withdrew. The family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that what was found in the second floor is a big drill machine.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Rimah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Obaidah ‘Adnan Mostafa al-Barghouthi (25) and arrested him.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military vehicles moved about 50 meters to the southeast of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. They headed towards the north and stationed in al-Qutbaniya area, east of Beit Hanoun. Israeli vehicles leveled lands and patrolled the area before redeploying along the border fence. Israeli soldiers sporadically opened fire, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces accompanied with a large number of Israeli settlers traveling by 7 buses to perform their religious ritual moved into al-Hafirah area in Marka village, east of Jenin. At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces along with the settlers withdrew from the area.

At approximately 10:40, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Ahmar area, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire and caused fear among farmers. The farmers were forced to flee for fear of being wounded. No casualties were reported.

In a new crime, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:05, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, shot dead Raheeq Shujaie’ Moahmed Yousef (19), from northern ‘Asirah village, northwest of Nablus. Israeli forces claimed that Raheeq attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against the Israeli soldiers and settlers, who were at the checkpoint. Israeli forces detained Raheeq’s corpse and did not deliver it to the Palestinian ambulance. PCHR’s fieldworker stated that Raheeq is married and is a university student.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Tafouh, Halhoul, Deir al-‘Asal and Ethna villages; and Jalajil and Tarousah raods in Hebron.

Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

West Bank:

Following the Friday prayer, 14 October 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses. As a result, some of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Israeli forces stopped international solidarity groups and detained their passports, in addition to writing down their names. Moreover, Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone. It should be noted that a number of Palestinian young men climbed over the annexation wall and raised the Palestinian flag.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men organized a protest against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages. The Protesters threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs in response. As a result, a fire broke out in a plot of land belonging to Mo’amar ‘Aiyad, from Silwad village.

At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 14 October 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

Continued closure of the oPt

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.

Note:

PCHR apologizes for not publishing the Karm Abu Salem crossing table this week and will publish it next week because the data was not prepared by the competent bodies at the Ministry of Economy and Petroleum Department. It will be published next week.

Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

12 – 18 October 2016

Category	12 October	13 October	14 October	15 October	16 October	17 October	18 October
Patients	–	30	1	–	56	51	–
Companions	–	26	1	–	52	–	48
Personal needs	–	41	7	–	18	–	33
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Arabs from Israel	–	6	2	–	3	–	6
Diplomats	–	2	–	–	–	–	5
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	–	72	13	–	19	–	20
Travelers Abroad	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
Business people	–	318	–	–	2	–	353
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	–	–	–	–	–	–	3
VIPs	–	–	–	–	1	–	3
Ambulances to Israel	–	2	4	–	3	–	6
Patients’ Companions	–	2	2	–	3	–	5

Notes:

On Friday, 14 October 2016, Israeli forces allowed 218 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
On Thursday, 13 October 2016, Israeli forces allowed one person and on Tuesday, 18 October 2016, 2 persons working in international organizations to renew their permits.
On Wednesday, 12 October 2016, and on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces closed the crossing due to Jewish holidays.

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

Hebron:

On Sunday and Monday, 16 and 17 October 2016, Israeli forces closed and still a number of roads in Hebron and its suburbs to celebrate the Suqqot Jewish holiday and to secure the settlers crossing to the Ibrahimi mosque in the Old City. The closures included all the military checkpoints established at the entrances to neighborhoods in the village, including the entrance to al-Ibrahimi mosque, Biet ‘Aninoun area from near Sa;ir village, the road that leads to Hebron, the eastern entrance to al-Karmel area, east of Yatta to secure the settlers moving to al-Berkah al-Athariyah area in the vicinity of the area, Muthalath al-Suamou’ area that connects the Bypass Road (60), the entrance to Deir Razeh village was closed by sand barriers and closing the road to Kherbet Basam, which a sub road that leads to the Bypass Road (60). It should be noted that al crossroads have permanently witnessed patrol by the Israeli forces.

Ramallah and al-Bireh:

At approximately 20:30 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Atarah village searched cars and checked civilians’ ID cards. Around the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Abud village and searched civilians’ ID cards.

Salfit:

At approximately 21:10 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Deir Balut village, west of Salfit. They searched cars, checked the civilians’ ID cards and prevented civilians from entering or leaving the village.

At approximately 21:50, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the western entrance to Kafer al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They searched civilian’s cars and checked their ID cards and no arrests were reported.

Nablus:

At approximately 16:30 on Friday, 14 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the north-western entrance to Beit Furik village known as al-Tinat area. They stopped cars and checked the civilians’ ID cards. Three hours later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 15 October 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, southeast of Nablus closed the checkpoint for the cars moving in both sides.

At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Awsarin village, southeast of Nablus. They stopped the cars and checked the civilians’ ID cards. Two hours later, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

Qalqiliya:

At approximately 09:15 on Saturday, 15 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azoun village, east of Qaloiliyah. They prevented the traffic movement until 10:00 in the morning. At approximately 17:30, they established the checkpoint again and prevented the traffic movement, and no arrests were reported. This act repeated on Sunday, 16 October 2016 in the evening.

At approximately 18:00 on Sunday 16 October 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Azoun and Ezbet al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqiliyah. They checked civilians” ID cards and searched their cars. Later, the checkpoint was removed and arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:45, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They checked the civilians’ ID cards and searched their cars. At approximately 20:25, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

Arrests at military checkpoints:

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 13 October 2016, a truck with an Israeli registration plate surpassed a minibus carrying workers and walking on the main road between Za’tarah and Jericho and coming from a settlement. After that, a child namely Salman Rebhu Zain Eden (14) threw a stone at the truck. At that time an Israeli force patrolled in the street saw what happened and they summoned Zain Eden who does not have an ID card, established a checkpoint at the road and detained him. They interrogated him near their jeep until 18:40. Moreover, Israeli forces withdrew later and arrested Zain Eden.

At approximately 22:00 on Wednesday, 19 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested Esam Jehad Saleh Ermilah (41) from Um al-Raihan village, west of Jenin while crossing Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus.

Efforts to Create Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Arrests and Incursions:

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 13 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiyah village, northeast of East Jerusalem. They stationed in the vicinity of al-‘Arba’in mosque centre of the village and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the worshippers, who were leaving the mosque. As a result, many of them suffered gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew from the village and then moved into Abu Riyalah neighbourhood in the village. They raided and searched dozens of houses and then arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children, namely Ahmed Saleh Mohammed Mustafa (20), Mohammed Haitham Mustafa (14) Mohammed Baker Mustafa (18) and Mohammed ‘Adnan Mustafa (16).

Mohammed Abu al-Hummus, Member of the Follow-up Committee in al-Isawiyah village, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli authorities practiced collective punishment policy against al-Isawiyah village. They closed the village entrance via cement cubes claiming that young men in the village threw stones and Molotov cocktails on the street leading to “Ma’ale Adumim” settlement. Abu al-Hummus added that the entrance was closed due to Jewish holidays and opened again only for 20 minutes. The Israeli forces closed it again and threatened the village inhabitants to impose further sanctions on them.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces raided the condolences house of Ali ‘Atef Shayoukhi (20) al-Wusta neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They heavily threw tear gas canisters at the comforters, so some of them suffered gas inhalation. After that, dozens of young men gathered in the vicinity of the house and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers to confront them. The Israeli soldiers then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the young men, houses and cars. They also raided and searched a number of houses under the pretext of looking for stone throwers. Later, the Israeli forces again raided and searched the house of al-Shayoukhi family in the village and arrested Mohammed ‘Atef al-Shayoukhi (20).

It should be noted that Ali ‘Atef al-Shayoukhi was killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday evening, 11 October 2016, during violent confrontations in Ein al-Lawzah neighbourhood in Silwan village. Ali was hit with a live bullet to his pelvis and left bleeding to death for two hours as the Israeli forces prevented the ambulance crews and the neighbourhood inhabitants from offering first aid for him and taking him to hospitals.

At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 13 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested Loay Mohammed Jaber (19) while being in al-‘Amoud Gate area in the Old City in East Jerusalem. They took him to Salah Eden police station for investigation.

In an excessive use of lethal power, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian child from Beit Surik village, northwest of Jerusalem.

According to PCHR’s investigations and statement of the child’s father, on Thursday morning, Mustafa Hasan al-Jamal (12) went to Ramallah to take an English language lesson in the Cultural Centre for Teaching Languages. At approximately 12:00, when Mustafa walked home to Beit Suriq village near the abovementioned mosque, the Israeli forces stationed at the entrances to the village directly and deliberately threw a tear gas canister at him without any justification. As a result, Mustafa was wounded to the back of his head and he was taken via a civilian car to al-Karmel Medical Centre in the nearby Badu village where he received medical treatment. Mustafa’s health condition deteriorated, so he was transferred to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. Doctors later found that Mustafa’s wound caused him a shell shock and he receives medical treatment.

At approximately 02:00 on Friday, 14 October 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Sakafi in Shu’fat refugee camp, north of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They then arrested his son Yusuf (23).

At approximately 04:00 on Saturday, 15 October 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Ramadan Abu Hilal (62) in Abu Dis village, east of East Jerusalem. They then arrested him and took him to “Ma’aleh Adumim” settlement for investigation. After questioning him, Israeli forces ordered Ramadan to hand over his son Mustafa (24) to release him. They then took him to al-Mascobiya police station in Jerusalem. Few hours later, Mustafa turned himself in to the Israeli forces and was transferred to al-Mascobiya police station along with his father. It should be noted that Mustafa Abu Hilal, is a former prisoner who served 2 years in the Israeli prisons, and lives in East Jerusalem’s Old City.

At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 15 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested Sbaih Mesbah Abu Sbaih (19) while crossing Qalandiyah checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem.

It should be noted that Sbaih is son of Mesbah Abu Sbaih, who was killed by the Israeli forces on Sunday, 09 October 2016, after he carried out a shooting attack in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem’s Old City.

At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 16 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in Silwan village, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses in the village. They then arrested 2 young men and 3 children namely Mohammed Nabil Diab (21), Loai Easa Staileh (19), Mohammed Jabr ‘Abasi (16), Majd Kamal al-A’war (16) and Jebril Abdul Men’im al-A’war (15).

At approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 16 October 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Bader in Abu Dis village, east of East Jerusalem. They then arrested his son Odai (19).

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Khalil Mousa Razinah (28) in ‘Aidah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, and then arrested him.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched the Islamic Orphans Secondary School in the Old City in East Jerusalem and arrested Samir Jebril, Head of Jerusalem Education Administration, claiming that the students threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces stationed at al-Aqsa mosque gates. By the end of school day, Israeli soldiers arrested 10 students; who were all children while leaving school. They prevented the residents from approaching the students and took them to al-Qishlah police station for interrogation (PCHR keeps the names of the arrested children).

Ahmed al-Safadi, Principle of the Orphans School in al-Thawri neighbourhood, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that this was not the first time for the Israeli police to arrest students or raid the building of the Orphans School in the Old City in addition to raiding classes under the pretext of throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. He added that in addition to attacking and abusing students, the soldiers also attacked and targeted him in their last raid to the school and prevented him from approaching the building yard. He emphasized that the attack happened in front of the students, posing a threat to the educational process. Al-Safadi also said that due to Jewish holidays, Israeli forces annually claim that students throw stones at them, noting that the school is far from where the soldiers are stationed and the windows are closed with steel bars.

At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 17 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested Jamil Essa al-‘Abasi (37) when he was leaving al-Majles Gate in the Old City in Jerusalem. They took him to al-Qishlah police station for interrogation.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Ahmed Darwish (24) while being at the entrance to al-Isawiyah village, northeast of Jerusalem. They attacked and beat him and then took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 15 October 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 50 military jeeps moved into Beit Suriq village, northwest of East Jerusalem. They surrounded the village for hours and prevented the inhabitants and cars from entering or leaving it. They claimed that a soldier was stabbed and sustained wounds in “Radar” settlement established on the village lands.

Ahmed al-Jamal, Mayor of Beit Suriq village, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that large Israeli forces moved into the village and surrounded it. They raided and searched houses and fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the municipality building and a clinic. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered gas inhalation. He added that a number of young men from the neighborhood gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who opened fire at them in response. As a result, Mustafa Hasan al-Jamal (11) sustained a metal bullet wound to the head. The Israeli forces also arrested ‘Amr Nabil al-Jamal (33) and took him to an unknown destiantion.

At approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 18 October 2016, Israeli forces arrested 3 women while leaving from al-Silsilah Gate in East Jerusalem. They took them to “Beit Eliyahu” interrogation center. The arrested women were identified as Walaa’ Ahmed Hasan, Baraa’ al-Rajbi and Weam Taiseer Hamada.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Maqdesi Street in al-Joaz Valley neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses on the street under the pretext of searching for stone throwers. Among those houses were the houses of Mohammed Arafat Tutah (14) and Alaa’ ‘Aqub (19). Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned children and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Khelat al-Ein area in al-Tur neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mousa Ahmed Abu Ghanam (14) and Nour Akram al-Kaswani (19).

At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 19 October 2016, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses among which were the houses of Mohammed Na’man Shakarnah (14) and Abdul Karem Shakarnah (20). They arrested the aforementioned civilians and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into several neighbourhoods in Silwan village, south of the Old city in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses and arrested 13 civilians, including 5 children. (PCHR keeps the names of the arrested civilians).

Israeli Settlers attacks:

At approximately 00:30 On Thursday, 13 October 2016, a group of Israeli settlers accompanied by the Israeli forces moved into al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses and attacked the inhabitants and damaged their property. Among of those houses was a house belonging to Mahdi Abu Nejmah, but the village young men confronted them. After that, the mosques called for help through the loudspeakers. The young men used stones and empty bottles to deter the settlers. They also set fire to the tires on the main street to prevent the Israeli soldiers and settlers from moving forward in the village. The soldiers immediately fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the young men in response and then withdrew from the area. Due to this attack, the families of al-Thawri neighbourhood formed patrols to protect their families from the settlers’ attacks and raids.

At approximately 22:30 on Friday, 14 October 2016, Israeli settlers attacked by knives and sticks Mohammed Khalil al-Razm (26), from Silwan village, while walking on Bar Ilan Street, north of East Jerusalem.

Mohammed al-Razem said to PCHR’s fieldworker that at approximately 22:30, he was riding his motorcycle on Bar Ilan Street and stopped due to the red traffic light. There was no one on the street, but he was then surprised with 5 settlers carrying knifes and sticks and then attacked him. He said: “Within few minutes, I tried to escape from the area via my motorcycle, but I could not as I fell off. However, I was able to stand up and defend myself”. He added: “In the meantime, there was a police car on the street, so the settlers fled from the area after attacking me”.

Al-Razm said he sustained a wound to his thigh after being stabbed in addition to bruises to the foot as he fell off his motorcycle. He was taken by an Israeli Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. He also said that he filed a complaint to the police about the attack to prosecute the attackers.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli Forces Attacks:

At approximately 07:15 on Thursday, 13 October 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 4 military jeeps and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet al- Hadediya in the Northern Valleys, east of Tubas. The bulldozer destroyed the road leading to Kherbet al-Hadediya. Memebrs of Israeli Coexistence Institution arrived at the destroyed road, went up to the bulldozer and gathered in front of it to prevent the soldiers from the demolition. After that, the soldiers intervened and moved them away in order to continue the demolition, but failed. However, they put sand barriers at the entrance to al-Kherbah to close it and prevent anyone from entering or leaving it.

Israeli Settlers Attacks:

At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 14 October 2016, Israeli settlers set fire to lands of Kafer Qadoum village, east of Qalqiliyah. As a result, around 50 olive trees belonging to the heirs of Abdul Mahdi Mohammed Ali were burnt before the Palestinian Civil Defence crews were able to extinguish the fire.

Abdul Salam Abdul Mahdi Ali (56) said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

“At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 14 October 2016, civilians from the village called my brothers and me and informed us that our land is on fire. We found that fire devoured a large area of the land and reached the main street. We tried to extinguish the fire along with other civilians, but to no avail. In the meantime, we saw a settler walking on the road and then an Israeli jeep came, took him and immediately left the area. After that, the Palestinian Civil Defence crews came and extinguished the fire. We lost about 50 olive trees. It should be noted that this was not the first time as we filed several complaints regarding this, but no avail. They have cameras everywhere; through which they can see the settler’s attack”.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 15 October 2016, 2 settlers accompanied with Israeli forces from “Atmar” settlement insulted and forced at gunpoint the family of Fawaz Husain Hanani to leave from al-Naqar area, west of Beit Furiq village, southeast of Nablus in Area (B) which is 600 meters away from the abovementioned settlement. The family was picking olives in the abovementioned area when the settlers came and scattered the picked olives all over the place. After contacting the Beit Foriq Municipality and the Israeli Liaison came, the family was allowed to return to their land and continue their work.

At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 18 October 2016, two military jeeps with an Israeli registration plate; one of which was travelled by an Israeli liaison officer and a female soldier while the other was travelled by a security guard in “Yitzhar” settlement known as Yaakov, arrived at a land rented by Muhiamen Mousa Abdul Aziz ‘As’aus (41) for 15 years and owned by As’ad Abdul Qader, in Khelet Suwan area, southeast of Burin village and it is about one kilometre away from “Yitzhar” settlement established on the lands of Burin village, southeast of Nablus. Both ‘As’aus and Abdul Qader are from Burin village. ‘As’aus, 3 international activists and workers in the 8-dunum land were picking olives. The Liaison Officer ordered Abdul Qader and the others to leave the land because it is in a military closed zone and they do not have a permit to be in the area. ‘As’aus argued the officer that the aforementioned permit only allows them to enter the land for 3 days and it is not enough for picking 10% of the harvest, so the officer threatened him to call the police if he did not leave the land. He also threatened him to bring outraged settlers to attack them, so he was forced to leave along with the workers and activist the land fearing of the settlers. It should be noted that settlers attacked an international activist in the same land last year.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.

In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:

PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;

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Public Document

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